A brazen daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where thieves made off with a collection of jewels, has prompted a wave of scrutiny over security at the world-renowned institution and echoes past high-profile art heists. The incident, occurring Sunday, involved thieves using a furniture hoist to access the museum and steal items from a jewelry store within the complex.
The robbery comes as the Louvre is already facing challenges related to overcrowding, understaffing, and planned extensive renovations. In January, French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled renovation plans expected to cost up to $834 million and take nearly a decade to complete, including a dedicated room for the Mona Lisa, a new entrance to ease congestion, and upgrades to the security system. The incident also follows a June strike by Louvre staff protesting “unmanageable crowds” and “untenable” working conditions, highlighting existing vulnerabilities.
According to reports, the thieves used a furniture lift to reach a window on the first floor of the jewelry store, located inside the museum. The stolen jewels are estimated to be worth approximately $6.2 million.
The incident has prompted swift reactions from French officials. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged a “failure” in security, stating, ”What is certain is that we have failed, since people were able to park a furniture hoist in the middle of Paris, get people up it in several minutes to grab priceless jewels.”
The Louvre was temporarily evacuated following the robbery, and an investigation is underway. This event recalls othre audacious museum thefts, including the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa itself, and more recent incidents such as the 2019 theft of paintings from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
Louvre staff have long voiced concerns about the museum’s ability to adequately protect both its artwork and its visitors. The planned renovations are intended to address these issues, but the recent robbery underscores the urgent need for improved security measures.
